The major highlight of our trip to Chicago was my family. This is my mother's side of the family. The Italians. I grew up with my mother and her sisters and my four first cousins. But that was about all. My mother's parents had passed away before she even met my dad.
Mom was born and raised in Chicago and most of her extended family is still there. And that is who we partied with.
Mom's first cousin, Ann Marie's husband was turning 65 and Ann Marie along with her ex- sister in law (restaurant owning Lucia) decided to throw a surprise party for him at the restaurant. With all the family.
My Auntie Madeline still lives in the Chicago area and sees these people often. So when she heard we were visiting THE SAME WEEKEND AS THE PARTY everyone got soooo happy.
Sunday we took the train out to the suburbs and met Auntie Madeline for some snacks and visiting at her house.
Then we picked up the cake and cookies from a local Italian grocer and headed to the restaurant!
Kaci and Aaron were graciously invited, of course.
What a magnificent day! Most of these family members as I said, are distant. And so I've heard their names, seen photos here and there over my lifetime- and they were all those "relatives in Chicago" that my mom made me send wedding invitations to.
But when they started coming in and greeting me with a kiss and a hug and KNOWING my name and who my parents were- I felt so loved.
These people were HAPPY. And LOVING. And DOWN TO EARTH.
The VERY VERY BIG HIGHLIGHT of the whole trip and this party especially- was my mother's oldest first cousin (Toni). When she came to the party, I greeted her and Auntie Madeline introduced us. She knew who I was immediately and as she hugged me and started to hold me she began to cry and told me that I looked just like my Grandma Vera (mother's mother) and how beautiful I was. I too got teary eyed. I love hearing stories about Vera and especially that I look like her. We just smiled and talked the rest of the night. Cousin Toni is my favorite!
Then there was the food.
Pizzas and stuffed bread balls full of pepperoni were appetizers.
Then we had a traditional Italian luncheon with Italian beef sandwiches, tons of salads - veggie salads, tortellini salads, fruit salads etc etc etc. And THE BEST roasted vegetables I've ever had in my life. That was seriously my favorite part of the meal. And this is coming from a girl who doesn't like veggies.
Lucia and her helpers made everything from very scratch.
And then the cake. The cake we picked up was a "cannoli cake". It was a gooey rich butter cake filled with sweet ricotta (cannoli) filling. Mamma mia.... my mouth is watering.
Aaron, Kaci, Ann Marie, Lucia, Me, Hunter, Auntie Madeline, and the birthday boy, Ron.
Auntie Madeline and me.
Me and cousins Jimmy , Frieda and Toni (my favorite Toni)
Me and Cousin John Costello and his daughter Tona and his granddaughter Sophia.
(Tona was super fun and awesome as well. She is due with twins! And teaches Italian at the local high school.)
Sophia Costello and her dad Ernie.
